Bayern Munich Abandon Barcola and Gordon Deals Over Transfer Fees
Bayern Munich considered major summer investments in Bradley Barcola and Anthony Gordon but withdrew from both pursuits after concluding that the required fees were beyond their budget. Barcola subsequently joined Liverpool for £123 million, while Gordon moved from Newcastle United to Barcelona in a £69m deal.
Bayern’s valuation limit reshaped the wing search
Sporting director Max Eberl had long admired Barcola, having first tried to recruit the French winger during his time at RB Leipzig. Eberl said earlier discussions with the player helped establish a relationship that kept Bayern interested when Barcola became available.
Bayern did investigate a move for the former Lyon forward, but Liverpool’s eventual £123m agreement placed the deal on a level the German champions were unwilling to match. Eberl indicated that Bayern’s purchase of Luis Diaz had also required a substantial investment, though not one comparable with the price paid for Barcola.
The same financial calculation applied to Gordon. Bayern had identified the England international as an option for the left side of attack, but chose not to proceed because of Newcastle’s valuation. Barcelona ultimately completed the £69m signing.
Summer sequence
- Eberl developed an interest in Barcola while working at Leipzig and held discussions with the player.
- Bayern assessed deals for both Barcola and Gordon during the summer window.
- Liverpool secured Barcola for £123m after Mohamed Salah ended his nine-year spell at Anfield, while Barcelona paid £69m for Gordon.
- Bayern turned to other recruitment and sanctioned several departures as the squad and finances were adjusted.
- Barcola made his Liverpool debut against Ipswich before starting in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool secure Salah successor
Liverpool made Barcola their leading candidate to replace Salah following the Egyptian’s departure. The France international, a two-time Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, was keen on the move, helping Liverpool overcome competition from Arsenal.
The £123m transfer makes Barcola Liverpool’s second-costliest signing, behind club-record arrival Alexander Isak. The 24-year-old is now working under Andoni Iraola and has made an early contribution following his move.
Barcola came on in the 60th minute for another new signing, Victor Munoz, during Liverpool’s 2-0 away victory over Ipswich. He then received his first start on Wednesday against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Liverpool won that match 2-1, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring the decisive goal after the interval. Barcola offered encouraging moments before being replaced after suffering cramp, leaving Iraola to monitor his workload during the coming weeks.
Bayern balance arrivals with extensive exits
The failure to land either Barcola or Gordon coincided with a wider Bayern rebuild. Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown arrived, while the club approved the departures of Joao Palhinha, Alexander Nubel, Daniel Peretz, Noel Aseko, Jonah Kusi-Asare, Maurice Krattenmacher and Lovro Zvornarek.
- Bayern’s interest in Barcola and Gordon was genuine, but both deals exceeded the club’s financial threshold.
- Liverpool’s £123m Barcola signing followed Salah’s exit and ranks second in the club’s all-time spending.
- Gordon joined Barcelona from Newcastle for £69m after Bayern ended their interest.
- Barcola has already made his Liverpool debut and first start, although cramp cut short his Atletico Madrid appearance.
- Bayern supplemented Saibari and Brown’s arrivals with a sizeable group of outgoing players.
